Conn Post 10/21/05

1. Anglers renewed their interest in the water this week, but the rivers are still high and swift. Saltwater anglers must watch for floating trees and other debris as they motor their boats in the riverine harbors and tidal rivers. Sweetwater fishers looking for trout in the smaller streams should use wading staffs and cleats to fight the swift water. It is best to stay clear of the Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames and Shetucket rivers for another week as the water levels slowly recede.
2. The state Department of Environmental Protection stocked both the Naugatuck and Shetucket rivers with surplus Atlantic salmon broodstock last week. Although the heavy river flows make fishing difficult, the DEP was forced to release the fish to clear the salmon hatchery. Holding these fish in the hatchery for better stocking conditions would have interfered with the ongoing breeding operations.
3. The broodstock Atlantic salmon are three to four years old and weigh between two and 15 pounds. Salmon hunters braving the high water are reminded that angling for Atlantic salmon is restricted to catch and release until Dec. 1. All Atlantic salmon must be immediately returned to the water.
4. New for this year, anglers may pursue other fish species in the designated Atlantic salmon broodstock areas. In the past, fishing for trout and smallmouth bass was prohibited during the salmon season. The Naugatuck River salmon stocking areas are between the Route 118 Bridge and the Thomaston Dam and between the Prospect Street Bridge in Naugatuck and the Pines Road Bridge in Beacon Falls.
5. Most saltwater anglers were forced to stay near port because of the wind. Wednesday, when the wind finally subsided, striped bass and bluefish enthusiasts quickly resumed their hunt finding decent action off Southwest Reef, Branford Harbor, Lighthouse Point, the SP Buoy area, the south side of Charles Island, along the bottom breakline about a mile south of the Housatonic River mouth, in the gut between Fayerweather Island and the Penfield Lighthouse, and within the "Norwalk Triangle" between Buoy 28C, Buoy 11B and the Obstruction Buoy.
6. Bottom fishing for blackfish and porgy remained good in spite of the weather on all the reefs between Norwalk and Madison with Cockenoe Reef, Greens Ledge, Middleground, Townshend Ledge and Kimberley Reef consistently producing fish. Saltwater anglers need to review two new fishing regulations. Blackfish seekers may no longer "cull" their catch. In the past, anglers would catch their four-fish limit. They would then keep the fish alive in a livewell and continue fishing. When a fifth blackfish was caught, the angler would "cull" out the smallest fish. Now, when you catch and keep four blackfish in a livewell, your limit is reached and you must stop fishing for them. Porgy fishing season closes Nov.1. You only have two more weeks to enjoy these fish.
7. Trout fishing in the stocked lakes and ponds has not been adversely affected by the rainy weather. Some good reports have come from Beach Pond, Crystal Lake, Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, West Hill Pond, Black Pond and Black Rock State Park Pond. by FRANK MCKANE JR.